Echo Publishing announces new Heather Morris novel
Echo Publishing has acquired ANZ rights to The Wish, a contemporary novel by Heather Morris.
The Wish is Morris’s first contemporary novel, and introduces Jesse, a young teenager who, despite being unwell with cancer, loves so much about her life, and Alex, a visionary games designer ‘who doesn’t love a lot of things,’ said the publisher. Alex enters Jesse’s life as she looks to create ‘a digital recreation of her life – something to be there for her friends and family, just in case she isn’t’. The novel shows how a ‘friendship blossoms between the desperately ill teenager and the isolated young man, changing both their lives – and those of the people around them – forever.’
Born in Te Awamutu, Morris has lived between Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand since 1971. The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Echo) was published in 2018. In 2024, an adaptation of the novel was released as a Stan Original Series. According to Echo, Morris’ books have sold over 18 million copies worldwide.
Echo publishing managing director Juliet Rogers said: ‘It is always a highlight to be publishing a new novel with Heather, but The Wish is particularly special, as it is so close to her heart. It is impossible not to fall in love with Alex and Jesse and the friendship that they build, and we are so looking forward to sharing this heartfelt story with Heather’s many readers throughout Australia and New Zealand.’
Morris said: ‘I’ve always been drawn to powerful stories that find hope even in the darkest of times. The Wish is particularly poignant as it’s inspired by my time working in a busy public hospital with families going through the toughest times. It was heart-breaking to see so many young lives wrought with tragedy but, amongst the pain, there were also amazing moments of joy as families came together. At the heart of this story are two characters, Jesse and Alex, whose friendship is so beautiful, so unexpected, that I have adored bringing them to life.’
The Wish is scheduled for publication in September 2025.
Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions
